Nearly 28 years after the tragic death of 6-year-old JonBenét Ramsey, her father, John Bennett Ramsey, is expressing renewed hope that her killer may finally be identified, thanks to advancements in DNA technology.

JonBenét, a child beauty queen, was found dead in the basement of her family’s Boulder, Colorado, home on December 26, 1996. Her body showed signs of assault and abuse, and an autopsy revealed she died from asphyxiation caused by strangulation and blunt force trauma to the head. Despite widespread media coverage and numerous conspiracy theories, the case remains unsolved.

Now, with modern genetic technology and a potential partnership with the FBI, John Ramsey believes justice for his daughter could be within reach.

Unsolved Mystery for Nearly Three Decades

JonBenét’s death rocked the nation and led to intense scrutiny of her family. On the morning of December 26, her mother, Patsy Ramsey, reported finding a ransom note demanding $118,000 for JonBenét’s return. Hours later, her father, John, discovered her lifeless body hidden beneath a blanket in the basement.

The chilling details of the crime, including the use of a garrote and evidence of sexual assault, left investigators and the public grappling with the heinous nature of the crime. Yet, no arrests have ever been made, and theories about who committed the murder have ranged from an intruder to members of the Ramsey family themselves.

A New Focus on DNA Evidence

Speaking to The US Sun, John Ramsey, now 81, revealed that advancements in DNA testing could lead to the breakthrough investigators need.

“Suppose they now use cutting-edge DNA labs to develop a DNA profile in the proper format for familial genealogy research. In that case, we have pretty good odds of finding the killer’s identity,” Ramsey explained.

Previously collected DNA samples from JonBenét’s fingernails, underwear, garrote, and blanket identified a male profile, ruling out John, Patsy, and their son, Burke, as suspects in 2008. However, the killer’s identity has remained unknown.

JonBenét's father is hoping her case will finally be solved (CBS News)

Ramsey is hopeful that the Boulder Police Department will collaborate with the FBI, whose expertise and resources could play a crucial role in solving the case.

“We have been asking and praying for this over the past 28 years,” Ramsey said. “We are encouraged that the police will finally use the FBI’s skills and resources to help solve our case.”

The Role of Modern DNA Technology

One of the most promising developments in crime-solving today is the use of familial DNA analysis, a technique that has already led to the resolution of numerous cold cases. By creating a DNA profile compatible with genealogical databases, investigators could potentially identify relatives of the suspect, narrowing down the search significantly.

The Ramsey family: Patsy, JonBenét, Burke, and John (Netflix)

John Ramsey emphasized that this cutting-edge approach could be the key to finally bringing justice for JonBenét.

Keeping the Case Alive

The Ramseys have tirelessly campaigned for progress in their daughter’s case. John credits media coverage, including Netflix’s recent docuseries Cold Case: Who Killed JonBenét Ramsey, with keeping the case in the public eye.

“The reason I’ve done these media interviews—Netflix, the documentary—is to keep pressure on the police,” he said. “We’re not going to go away, folks.”

The family’s persistence has spurred renewed interest and could push authorities to reevaluate the case with fresh eyes and modern tools.

Public Interest and the Road Ahead

JonBenét’s case remains one of the most infamous unsolved murders in American history. While public interest has waned over the years, recent advancements in technology and the advocacy of her family have reignited hopes for resolution.

The Boulder Police Department’s meeting with John Ramsey in January could mark a turning point. If the FBI is brought into the investigation and familial DNA analysis is employed, there’s a real chance the killer could finally be identified.

For now, JonBenét’s family and supporters around the world continue to wait for the justice that has been elusive for almost three decades.